Murcia, Spain – In the early hours of this Sunday morning, a devastating fire tore through the Teatre nightclub, also known as Fonda Milagros, located in the vibrant city of Murcia in southeastern Spain, resulting in a harrowing death toll of at least 13 individuals. This calamitous incident has sent shockwaves through the region, with rescue efforts ongoing amid concerns that the casualty count may yet rise.
The inferno, which officials have characterized as “extremely serious,” was first reported around 6 a.m. local time (4 a.m. GMT). Murcia’s mayor, José Ballesta, expressed the complexities of the rescue operation, noting that “there are still bodies to be pulled out,” all while the risk of structural collapse looms large. Firefighters bravely rushed to the scene at 7 a.m. and managed to quell the flames by 8 a.m.
The aftermath of this catastrophe is hauntingly captured in photographs released by the emergency services, depicting water hoses from fire trucks dousing the nightclub’s charred façade, with thick plumes of smoke billowing from the building’s roof. Four individuals, two women aged 22 and 25, and two men in their forties, sustained injuries, primarily related to smoke inhalation.
Diego Seral, spokesperson for the national police, disclosed that a birthday celebration was underway at the club on Saturday night, with preliminary information indicating that the fire originated on the first floor. Forensic and judicial experts have been dispatched to investigate the cause of the tragic incident.
Over 40 firefighters, bolstered by 12 emergency vehicles, have been tirelessly engaged in rescue and recovery efforts. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed solidarity with the victims and their families, while the city’s town hall conveyed deep regret for the accident and offered condolences to all affected parties.
As a testament to the gravity of this tragedy, Mayor Ballesta declared a three-day period of mourning and established a reception center to assist the relatives of the victims. This somber event serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking within crowded nightclubs, echoing previous nightclub disasters in Spain’s history, such as the 2017 Tenerife nightclub floor collapse and the 1990 Zaragoza nightclub fire.
In this moment of profound sorrow, our hearts go out to the victims and their families, and the nation mourns the loss of innocent lives in this devastating nightclub fire.
By AFP
